The Folsom Street Safety Improvements Project was formally approved by the Boulder City Council this week. The section of Folsom Street between Pine Street and Colorado Avenue will have repurposed lanes, designated bus stop areas, on-street protected bike lanes, and landscaped areas between pedestrian areas and the street among other planned improvements. The next stage of the final design process will continue when funding is available.
The improvements are designed for comfort and safety and a critical part of Boulder’s Vision Zero Action Plan, which is a community goal to reduce the number of traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries to zero. 67 percent of traffic crashes that cause fatality or serious injury are on arterial streets, which are high-traffic roads with a mix of pedestrians, vehicles, and bicycles.
Boulder’s Core Arterial Network initiative outlined 13 streets to provide protected bike paths for safer commutes throughout Boulder’s high traffic areas.
“Since December, we have heard an outpouring of support for creating a safer Folsom that responds to how people actually travel on the street today, provides a direct north-south connection for walking and biking currently lacking in this part of Boulder, and is easier to navigate while being a vibrant, welcoming destination that contributes to the vitality of the street’s many commercial businesses and the University of Colorado Boulder Main Campus,” said Valerie Watson, interim director of the city’s Transportation & Mobility Department. “We have confidence that this is the best solution toward proactively addressing severe crash risk and better serving our community with a more comfortable and connected street."
The project budget is $1.5 million, funded by $1 million from the Transportation Improvement Program and $500,000 from the city. More grant funding will be pursued as the project moves forward.
Wider sidewalks and protected bike paths will help pedestrians and bicyclists move safer through this section of the city while keeping bicyclists separated from pedestrians and motor vehicles. Floating bus stops and double left turn lanes are intended to help traffic flow more smoothly. Added shelters, benches, and landscaping are intended to improve the pedestrian and bus rider experience.
A timeline for the future of the project has not been disclosed yet. Details can be viewed online.
